The permanent visa application is a process that involves 6 phases.
All of those wishing to apply for permanent residency (Including dependents: spouse and children under 25 years of age) in Panama must gather certain documents to build a file through which the immigration department will verify that all pertinent requisites are met according to legislation. Some of these documents are gathered in the applicants country of origin or residency, while others are gathered in Panama.
We offer full support in obtaining all documents in Panama for our clients. Those gathered in the applicant's country of origin:
For example, certain offenses that appear on the criminal record might not be considered an offense of the same degree in Panama or perhaps a significant amount of time has passed since the registry of the offense. A case of this nature would require an authorization prior to submitting the file for residency approval. This approval process currently takes between two and three months. All criminal records (Just as all documents gathered outside of Panama) must be either apostilled or legalized, so the first step consist in verification of whether or not the applicant´s country is signatory of the Hague Apostille Convention (1961) includes a complete list of signatory countries. If the applicant´s country is not signatory of the convention documents requires legalization by a Panamanian Consulate by mailing them along with payment (money order or deposit / wire to an account) and a prepaid envelope. If Panama does not have diplomatic presence at the applicant´s country of origin or residency the process is done by the closest consulate. Once the documents are legalized, there is another step involved which is having it certified by the Ministry of Foreign Relations in Panama City.
All documents needed for the process that are in a foreign language must be translated by a Panamanian Certified Translator. It may not be translated by someone certified outside of Panama. We have within our network multiple certify translators in multiple locations in Panama. Also all documents legalized by Panamanian consulates must be authenticated by Panama's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is also a service we provide as part of the immigration process. REGISTRY OF CLIENT AT IMMIGRATION All applicants must register in Immigration's database. For this purpose the client will have to provide the following information: height (in meters); color of eyes; color of hair; color of skin; date of birth; passport number; country of birth; city of birth; previous nationality (if applies); father's name; mother's name; father´s nationality; mother's nationality; address in country of origin; local mobile number; address in Panama; passport issuance date; passport expiration date; place of entry (usually Tocumen Airport); date of arrival in Panama.
This process also demands the client´s physical presence at the immigration offices, where it is mandatory to bring two ID sized photographs; copy of passport page which features picture and general information; copy passport page showing most recent entry stamp in Panama; copy of cedula and license for attorney and notarized copy of power of attorney to file residency on applicant's behalf. It is valid to inform that immigration has a dress code so all men must wear (not ripped) jeans or slacks. Shoe wear such as flip-flops and sandals are not allowed. Tank tops and highly sexy garments will prevent entrance in immigration. Baseball hats and sunglasses are also not allowed. Registry usually takes between one and three hours time unless the applicant is retired under which case the process is significantly shorter.
DOCUMENTS OBTAINED IN PANAMA After client is registered and has a the registry stamp on the passport, further steps are required: notarized copy of entire passport good health certificate Affidavit (https://www.migracion.gob.pa/images/pdf/ ANTECEDENTES_PERSONALES_2019.pdf) Cashier's checks for $250 made to Tesoro Nacional and $800 made to Servicio Nacional de Migración (Retirement Visa does not pay any of these fees but spouses do as dependents). We provide the service of obtaining these checks unless the client has a bank account in Panama.
During the initial steps of this phase physical presence of the client is not require. The file containing all required documents is presented to an immigration officer that will verify that its content it is complete and within legal guidelines. If all is duly met fees are paid (previously referred to cashier's checks) and an additional $50 fee for temporary ID. At this point the client has their picture taken and is immediately handed a temporary ID valid for six months. During this phase the client also processes the multiple visa stamp on passport ($50 cost). This step includes immigration holding the passport for 48 hours. This information can result vital for organizing an itinerary to visit Panama to commence these phases.
We recommend the client to plan a trip for a time period no shorter than 8 to 10 working days. Leaving the country without processing the multiple visa stamps carries a $2000 fine.
The client´s temporary ID will feature a reference number (Número de tramite) which will provide access to information relating to the progress of the application https:// tramites.migracion.gob.pa/portal_migracion_digital/views/consultas.php . It is possible that immigration will inform the need to correct or provide additional documents thus checking or following up is of relevance although very seldomly this situations occurs. Once the status reaches the point of notification it means the Director of immigration has signed off a formal resolution granting or denying the applicant´s request of becoming a Panamanian Residence.
Client must be present at immigration for when the lawyer goes to sign off on the resolution. The applicant must carefully verify that this document is accurate in regard to his or her general information. Once the accuracy is verified the person will proceed to make a $1000 payment for getting a new ID card that will not feature an expiration date.
Approximately one month after the resident has obtained their permanent ID immigration will issue a letter addressed to Panama´s Civil Registry government office giving instructions in favor of the resident to receive a Panamanian cedula ID.
The lawyer handling the case will pick up this letter at immigration and organize an appointment for this ID. It is not mandatory for residents to obtain this form of ID as the immigration ID serves the purpose to demonstrate his or her legal status. However if the resident has the desire to later apply for Panamanian citizenship ( Per Panamanian Law all permanent residence are entitled to apply for citizenship five years after having a cedula). At the same time having a cedula will suffice for all legal matters in which identification of a resident is mandatory, thus it makes it not necessary to have to always carried a passport. The cedula cost $100 and a copy of the immigration ID is necessary; the picture is taken the day of the appointment and it will be ready for pick up a week afterwards. The resident may appoint the lawyer to pick up the cedula on his behalf.
All of those wishing to apply for permanent residency (Including dependents: spouse and children under 25 years of age) in Panama must gather certain documents to build a file through which the immigration department will verify that all pertinent requisites are met according to legislation. Some of these documents are gathered in the applicants country of origin or residency, while others are gathered in Panama.
We offer full support in obtaining all documents in Panama for our clients. Those gathered in the applicant's country of origin:
For example, certain offenses that appear on the criminal record might not be considered an offense of the same degree in Panama or perhaps a significant amount of time has passed since the registry of the offense. A case of this nature would require an authorization prior to submitting the file for residency approval. This approval process currently takes between two and three months. All criminal records (Just as all documents gathered outside of Panama) must be either apostilled or legalized, so the first step consist in verification of whether or not the applicant´s country is signatory of the Hague Apostille Convention (1961) includes a complete list of signatory countries. If the applicant´s country is not signatory of the convention documents requires legalization by a Panamanian Consulate by mailing them along with payment (money order or deposit / wire to an account) and a prepaid envelope. If Panama does not have diplomatic presence at the applicant´s country of origin or residency the process is done by the closest consulate. Once the documents are legalized, there is another step involved which is having it certified by the Ministry of Foreign Relations in Panama City.
All documents needed for the process that are in a foreign language must be translated by a Panamanian Certified Translator. It may not be translated by someone certified outside of Panama. We have within our network multiple certify translators in multiple locations in Panama. Also all documents legalized by Panamanian consulates must be authenticated by Panama's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is also a service we provide as part of the immigration process.
All applicants must register in Immigration's database. For this purpose the client will have to provide the following information: height (in meters); color of eyes; color of hair; color of skin; date of birth; passport number; country of birth; city of birth; previous nationality (if applies); father's name; mother's name; father´s nationality; mother's nationality; address in country of origin; local mobile number; address in Panama; passport issuance date; passport expiration date; place of entry (usually Tocumen Airport); date of arrival in Panama.
This process also demands the client´s physical presence at the immigration offices, where it is mandatory to bring two ID sized photographs; copy of passport page which features picture and general information; copy passport page showing most recent entry stamp in Panama; copy of cedula and license for attorney and notarized copy of power of attorney to file residency on applicant's behalf.
It is valid to inform that immigration has a dress code so all men must wear (not ripped) jeans or slacks. Shoe wear such as flip-flops and sandals are not allowed. Tank tops and highly sexy garments will prevent entrance in immigration. Baseball hats and sunglasses are also not allowed. Registry usually takes between one and three hours time unless the applicant is retired under which case the process is significantly shorter.
After client is registered and has a the registry stamp on the passport, further steps are required: notarized copy of entire passport good health certificate Affidavit (https://www.migracion.gob.pa/images/pdf/ ANTECEDENTES_PERSONALES_2019.pdf)
Cashier's checks for $250 made to Tesoro Nacional and $800 made to Servicio Nacional de Migración (Retirement Visa does not pay any of these fees but spouses do as dependents). We provide the service of obtaining these checks unless the client has a bank account in Panama.
During the initial steps of this phase physical presence of the client is not require. The file containing all required documents is presented to an immigration officer that will verify that its content it is complete and within legal guidelines. If all is duly met fees are paid (previously referred to cashier's checks) and an additional $50 fee for temporary ID. At this point the client has their picture taken and is immediately handed a temporary ID valid for six months. During this phase the client also processes the multiple visa stamp on passport ($50 cost). This step includes immigration holding the passport for 48 hours. This information can result vital for organizing an itinerary to visit Panama to commence these phases.
We recommend the client to plan a trip for a time period no shorter than 8 to 10 working days. Leaving the country without processing the multiple visa stamps carries a $2000 fine.
The client´s temporary ID will feature a reference number (Número de tramite) which will provide access to information relating to the progress of the application https:// tramites.migracion.gob.pa/portal_migracion_digital/views/consultas.php . It is possible that immigration will inform the need to correct or provide additional documents thus checking or following up is of relevance although very seldomly this situations occurs. Once the status reaches the point of notification it means the Director of immigration has signed off a formal resolution granting or denying the applicant´s request of becoming a Panamanian Residence.
Client must be present at immigration for when the lawyer goes to sign off on the resolution. The applicant must carefully verify that this document is accurate in regard to his or her general information. Once the accuracy is verified the person will proceed to make a $1000 payment for getting a new ID card that will not feature an expiration date.
Approximately one month after the resident has obtained their permanent ID immigration will issue a letter addressed to Panama´s Civil Registry government office giving instructions in favor of the resident to receive a Panamanian cedula ID.
The lawyer handling the case will pick up this letter at immigration and organize an appointment for this ID. It is not mandatory for residents to obtain this form of ID as the immigration ID serves the purpose to demonstrate his or her legal status.
However if the resident has the desire to later apply for Panamanian citizenship ( Per Panamanian Law all permanent residence are entitled to apply for citizenship five years after having a cedula). At the same time having a cedula will suffice for all legal matters in which identification of a resident is mandatory, thus it makes it not necessary to have to always carried a passport.
The cedula cost $100 and a copy of the immigration ID is necessary; the picture is taken the day of the appointment and it will be ready for pick up a week afterwards. The resident may appoint the lawyer to pick up the cedula on his behalf.
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Panama Office
PH TOC, Local 09
San Francisco, Panama City
